CAR CARE TIPS

TIRES
It’s easy to assume your tires are doing their job, but it’s important to keep a close watch on tire pressure. Even if your tires look fine and still offer great driving characteristics, check the pressure often to make sure you’re still in the correct operating range. Low pressures can really drag down your car’s efficiency, causing a decrease in your miles per gallon. Low pressure can also result in premature tire wear. Too high of pressure causes uneven tread wear.

BALANCE
If you notice a constant vibration while driving your car, it might be something as simple as a tire being out of balance. This can really make for a harsh ride, so it needs to be repaired immediately. Fortunately, it’s a cheap and easy fix and having your tires and wheels rebalanced will get you back on the road, with a smooth ride.

ROTATION
Have you ever noticed that your front tires wear out faster than your rear tires or vice versa? Different cars have various features that might promote tire wear on one end of the vehicle more quickly than the other. Sometimes, it’s a matter of weight bias, and others it’s about the vehicle’s stock suspension alignment, but either way, it’s a good idea to rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. We suggest having them rotated every time you change your oil, as it’s a quick and simple process that can be done in a matter of minutes.

FLUID CHECK
An easy way to maintain your vehicle at home is to make sure all of the fluids are at the appropriate levels. Coolant, oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid are all very important to your car’s well being so between tune ups and oil changes, be sure to keep a close watch to make sure your vehicle is retaining its proper levels. If not, you may have a serious problem on your hands!

OIL CHANGE
The heart of your car is under the hood. Your engine is the last thing you want to fail, but waiting too long between oil changes greatly affects your engine’s longevity. New oil and a new filter every 3,000 miles is what car manufacturers recommend and we agree. Anytime you go further than that, deposits build up, and the oil breaks down, meaning it doesn’t coat your engine’s internal components as well as it should. The lack of oil coating results in premature wear on the bearings.

FILTERS
When it comes to your car’s health, filters are an important aspect. You must filter the air before it enters the engine, filter the oil before it enters the engine and filter the transmission fluid before it circulates through the transmission. Without filters, engines and transmissions would be exposed to the elements and the impurities of the air, oil and fluids. Air filters need to be inspected with every oil change, while oil filters should be replaced with every oil change. Transmission filters last much longer, but are still a very important part of your vehicle’s maintenance.

SUSPENSION
One aspect of a daily driven vehicle that often gets overlooked is the suspension. These components are built to endure serious abuse, but rough roads, long commutes and limited maintenance make for a shorter life cycle. Bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends are usually the first items to need replaced, but a quality vehicle inspection by a trained professional is the only way to tell if they need replaced. Shocks and struts are also problem areas that can affect the comfort of your ride.

ALIGNMENT
Suspension alignment keeps your vehicle from veering left or right while driving down the road, and it also allows your tires to wear evenly across the tread. This usually isn’t something that can be tackled by an at-home enthusiast, as it requires specific tools and machinery. Technicians adjust the toe, caster and camber of the front and rear suspension, to make sure the suspension works precisely and the tires wear evenly.

DIAGNOSTICS
Seeing the dreaded “Check Engine Light” is never a good feeling, so getting the problem resolved is a number one priority. These messages are lifesavers in terms of your car’s condition, as they can alert you to problems that may not be apparent otherwise. If you have a Check Engine Light on in your vehicle, bring it in for a diagnostic check.

AIR CONDITIONING
There’s one thing that is always annoying: when your car is either too hot or too cold on the inside. If your vehicle’s air conditioning system is not functioning properly, you’ll have a tough time staying comfortable while behind the wheel, and that’s the last thing you want on your commute to work. Sometimes, it’s an easy fix, while other times it requires expert repairs, but we’re equipped to handle these types of repairs.

FUEL MILEAGE
Get the most fuel mileage possible from your vehicle by making sure its air intake system is very clean, or you can upgrade to an aftermarket system that allows better airflow. It’s also important to keep your tires inflated properly to provide the least amount of rolling resistance. Driving style plays a large part in your fuel economy, so follow the speed limit and resist the urge to speed away from a stop sign or traffic light.